Since it became an official NFL statistic in 1982, 49ers outside linebacker Aldon Smith has averaged the most sacks per game (0.98) of any player.

In addition, despite Smith coming off the bench in 2011 and missing five games for a stint in rehab in 2013, his 42 sacks in his first three seasons rank third behind Hall of Famers Reggie White (52) and Derrick Thomas (43.5).

With those figures in mind, will the 49ers offer Smith, who has one year left on his contract, an extension this offseason? The answer: no.

At least that's the opinion of Joel Corry, an NFL agent for 16 years who now writes on NFL contract and salary-cap issues for CBS Sports and the National Football Post. As Corry notes, the 49ers can exercise a fifth-year option on Smith's rookie contract.

They have until May 3 to exercise the option, which would equal the 2014 transition tag for linebackers. The amount, which was $8.358 million last year, is expected to be about $9.25 million this season.

By exercising the option, the 49ers can secure Smith's services for the 2015 season without making a long-term commitment. Smith is three months removed from a stay at a rehab clinic after two DUI arrests. He also faces a March 13 court date for a weapons charge stemming from a June 2012 party at his house.

"I wouldn't touch Aldon Smith right now," Corry said. "You've got the fifth-year option for him and they are going to exercise it. But more than the option, I would need to see him turn his life around a little bit more. Just have a little more comfort that he's on the right track before I commit great pass-rusher money to him."

Smith's fifth year would be guaranteed for injury on the date it is exercised and would become fully guaranteed on the first day of the 2015 league year if he's still on the roster.

Relatively speaking, Smith would be a bargain with a salary under $10 million in 2015 based on the contracts of some of the NFL's top pass-rushing outside linebackers. Green Bay's Clay Matthews will count $12.7 million against the Packers' salary cap in 2015, and Dallas' DeMarcus Ware ($17.5 million) and Kansas City's Tamba Hali ($11.96 million) will also produce significant cap hits, according to Overthecap.com.

The fifth-year option could also give the 49ers more leverage in negotiating a long-term deal.

"They are going to exercise that fifth year," Corry said. "That's a no-brainer."